13 Things You Should Ask Yourself before the End of 2013

Usually at the last minute, or even after the new year has started, I end up doing some new year’s resolutions. Most of the time I end up not meeting them. So instead, this year, I’m going to “steal” this list of questions from my friend Amanda’s blog and answer them. She in turn took the questions from a list of 25 things you should ask yourself, but I liked her idea of doing 13 questions for the year 2013. Here goes!

1. What am I most proud of this year?
I’m going to have to say publishing a novel and two short stories. Without my husband pushing me to do the things I love, I wouldn’t have gone through with it, but since he did, I am very proud of myself for allowing him to push me into doing it. It required much interaction with other people, quite a bit of patience, and a lot lot LOT of writing. But it was worth it.

I’m also very proud of the fact that my husband and I adopted our daughter this year. But that was more waiting for people to fill out paperwork than anything I did.

2. How can I become a better ________?
Editor? Mom? Housekeeper? Wife? I think the answer to all these questions is to pretend that I’m not tired.

3. Where do I need to allow myself grace?
I have no idea. I believe that every time I am hard on myself, I deserve it, so….

4. Am I passionate about my career?
I’m not sure how to answer this question. I am passionate about editing. But I’m not passionate about drumming up editing business for myself. I’d love to have a steady stream of manuscripts to work on, but what with taking care of two kids and trying to write/publish my own stuff, I don’t have time to look for this steady work. Boo.

5.  How did I spend my free time?
Mostly playing on the internet, sadly. Well, I did manage to read 29 books this year, so that was exciting. I’m hoping for 30+ in 2014.

6. When have I felt most creatively inspired?

a. When talking about my future books with either my sister and my husband. Talking is easier than actually writing it down. 😉

b. When designing my kids’ rooms. We finally moved and they each got a new room, and I have spent many hours browsing pinterest and Urban Outfitters and Etsy finding all the things I will buy once we have the money to redecorate. The boy’s room is going to be Doctor Who/Firefly, and the girl’s room is going to be steampunk/industrial. I’m very excited.

7. What projects have I completed?
a. One novel

b. Two short stories

c. Packing up a house and unpacking it into another house.

8. In what ways can I restructure my time?
One of my resolutions for 2013 was to read more books and watch less TV. The volume of books I read this year was small, but still more than I read in 2012, so it was an improvement. But I’d like to improve myself even more in 2014 and read more books and watch less TV.

9. When have I felt the most alive?
As an ISTJ, I don’t think that “feeling alive” is really important enough to register with me. Looking back, I guess I’d have to say it is whenever I am watching my kids running outside and getting fresh air.

10. How can I improve my relationships?
As an ISTJ, I am fine having only a few friends. However, I shouldn’t use my introversion as an excuse to not make an effort to hang out with the few friends that I have. I should probably not just sit around waiting for them to text me.

11. What lessons have I learned in 2013?
a. Nagging gets things done.

b. Planning a meal list a week or two in advance makes dinner much less stressful.

c. Toddlers are like border collies. They love attention, and it takes a lot to wear them out. They are unlike border collies in that when they do get worn out, they cry a lot. A LOT.

12. What old habits would I like to release?
Staring at something that needs to be done and then thinking,”I should do that,” and not doing it. And then being mad at myself for not doing it.

13. What new habits would I like to cultivate?
Budgeting. It something we’ve never had to really pay attention to before, but Bigger House + New Car + Me Not Having a “Real” Job = Less Money. And if we don’t budget, then I will just spend all our money on redoing the kids’ rooms.

So that’s it! I have no idea how to do a linkup, but I’m supposed to link this up to Amanda and Beka and Kenzie and the original 25 things post. Or something. So check out their posts!